Orioles pre-game: Another day full of roster moves, Reimold getting better and an ESPY-worthy O's performance

May 29, 2012|By Eduardo A. Encina | The Baltimore Sun

TORONTO — The Orioles made four roster moves before tonight's game against the Blue Jays, giving them an eye-opening 36 total roster moves involving 20 different players this month.

The club optioned struggling RHP Tommy Hunter and slumping rookie OF Xavier Avery to Triple-A Norfolk, while activating outfielder Endy Chavez off the disabled list and purchasing the contract of right-handed reliever Miguel Gonzalez from Norfolk.

Hunter's demotion comes a day after he lasted just three innings, the shortest start by any Orioles starter this season. Avery, who provided a spark atop the lineup, was mired in a 3-for-30 slump.

Gonzalez, a minor-league free agent who spent just one game at the Triple-A level before this season, was 2-1 with a 1,50 ERA in 11 games for the Tides.

Chavez, who was hitting just .111 before going on the DL with a left intercostal strain, is here but was not in tonight's starting lineup. Wilson Betemit is starting in left.

Both are available for tonight's game.

Other news tidbits:

-- Leftfielder Nolan Reimold is finally showing signs of improvement after his second epidural for a bulging disk in his back. He will report to Sarasota to begin rehab, another positive sign. Depending on how well he improves over the next few days, doctors will decide whether he needs the third epidural. He would go to Baltimore to get that.

-- Right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom (partial ligament tear in middle finger) continued a throwing session from 60 and 90 feet. He is 2-3 days away from throwing off a mound.

-- Showalter, Robert Andino and J.J. Hardy have been nominated for an ESPY for the "Best Sports Moment" of 2011 for the Orioles walk-off win over the Red Sox in last year's regular-season finale.

-- Hunter will have his work day with Norfolk tomorrow and is scheduled to start for the Tides on Saturday.

-- Mark Reynolds will start at first tonight. Read into it what you will, but it comes after Chris Davis made a costly error in Monday's game.